Panchkula: The district courts are facing disruptions due to an acute shortage of prosecutors, with the posts of three deputy district attorneys (DDAs) and two assistant district attorneys (ADAs) lying vacant. The gaps have increased the workload on the existing team and affected prosecution efficiency across courts.Currently, the district has only six prosecution officers — one district attorney (DA), two DDAs and three ADAs. Against this, the sanctioned requirement is three additional DDAs and two more ADAs to ensure the smooth functioning of trial and sessions courts.Because of the shortage, ADAs are being assigned duties meant for DDAs, leading to additional pressure and compromised trial preparedness. Sources said prosecutors are often required to appear in multiple courts simultaneously, slowing down proceedings.Legal experts noted that under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, DDAs are authorised to conduct prosecutions before additional sessions judges and sessions courts, while ADAs primarily handle regular trial courts. However, with insufficient DDAs, ADAs are currently appearing before sessions courts, which they said is not an ideal legal arrangement, reports Sandeep Rana. The shortage has led to prosecution delays and increased burden on junior prosecutors, affecting case quality and coordination with police and investigating agencies. Sources said appointing more senior public prosecutors would significantly improve trial efficiency and case disposal.District attorney Manoj Kumar confirmed the shortage, saying, “Yes, there is a shortage of three DDAs and two ADAs here. We have written to the authority concerned to enhance the number.”
